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Quality

Space Principal/ Sr. Principal System Safety Engineer

Northrop Grumman logoNorthrop Grumman$103,600–$155,400/yrDulles, VA, United StatesFull timePosted 1mo ago
  • US citizenship
  • Top Secret clearance

How this pay compares

This posting states $104k–$155k a year. Open quality engineer jobs in Virginia post a median of $102k a year, the middle half $81.1k–$118k, across 8 jobs that state their pay, so this one is above the middle half of what they post.

Quality engineers and inspectors in Virginia: pay by town and employer

About the job

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time ## Description At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come.

Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way.

Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Principal / Senior Principal System Safety Engineer to join our team.

This position is based out of Dulles, VA and will be 100% on-site. System Safety Engineering utilizes System engineering processes and tools to drive the overall system design to meet Safety requirements to minimize the risk inherent in spacecraft operations while maximizing mission reliability and success.

System Safety Engineering is involved in all phases of a program life cycle, from proposal generation to launch operations. System Safety Engineering interfaces with Program Offices, Customers and Ranges to ensure that our systems meet safety requirements while providing high reliability to the customer.

System Safety Engineers are expected to understand how the different components, subsystems, systems and integrated vehicle function and interact, with a focus on System Safety.

The System Safety Engineering effort includes interacting as part of a multi-disciplined engineering team to develop system architecture and constituent elements for new and existing flight programs, as well as new business concepts and proposals. ## Responsibilities Include - Defining, implementing, and verifying System Safety requirements to ensure that the inherent risks are mitigated. - Identifying, assessing, and mitigating hazards present in spacecraft using the processes described MIL-STD-882E.. - Preparing safety artifacts such as a System Safety Program Plan (SSPP), Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA), System/Subsystem Hazard Analysis (SHA/SSHA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Safety Assessment Report (SAR), Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Analysis, Software Safety Analysis, and Missile System Pre-Launch Safety Package (MSPSP) in support of customer requirements. - Coordinating with Cross-IPT’s to support hazard and safety requirement adjudication and communicating safety risk to the appropriate levels. - Aiding in the preparation, review, and acceptance of launch range safety documentation in accordance with AFSPCMAN 91-710. - Preparing packages in support of program milestone design reviews such as SRR, PDR, and CDR and presenting this to internal and external stakeholders. ## Basic Qualifications - For Principal System Safety Engineer: Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university with 4 years of relevant/related experience (3 of which must be System Safety experience) a Master’s Degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of System Safety experience. - For Sr.

Principal System Safety Engineer : Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline from an accredited university with 7 years of relevant/related experience (3 of which must be System Safety experience) a Master’s Degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years of relevant/related experience (3 of which must be System Safety experience). - Active Top Secret Clearance required at time of application. - Understanding of and experience with MIL-STD-882E to analyze, recommend, and drive safety into system design, equipment and procedures in order to mitigate or eliminate hazards. - Experience with developing, reviewing, updating, and approving system safety artifacts and system safety requirements such as System Safety Program Plan (SSPP), Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA), System/Subsystem Hazard Analysis (SHA/SSHA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Safety Assessment Report (SAR), Software Safety Analysis, and the Missile System Pre-launch Safety Package (MSPSP). - Familiarity with AFSPCMAN 91-710 and Range Safety compliance. - Ability to work independently and effectively communicate (verbal and written) with internal and external customers. - Strong technical writing skills. - General understanding of spacecraft design and operation. - Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs. ## Preferred Qualifications - Understanding of launch operations - Experience with developing safety analyses supporting on-orbit operations - Knowledge of NASA safety standards such as NASA-STD-8719.24 - Working knowledge of OSHA general industry standards (29 CFR 1910) #SpaceEngJobs #SpaceSysEngJobs #NoVASpace #SPEnhancedERAP Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date.

However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

From Northrop Grumman's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Northrop Grumman

Satellites, space telescopes, cargo spacecraft and rocket boosters, inside a defense prime.

Pay on its listings: 98% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on Northrop Grumman's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

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